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For immediate release: December 7, 2005 (05-162)
Contact: Tim Church, Communications Office 360-236-4077; 360-534-0068 pgr
Expanded indoor smoking law takes effect December 8, 2005;
Washington’s law now the nation’s most comprehensive
OLYMPIA ¾ Starting tomorrow, December 8, Washington’s restaurants, bars, taverns, bowling centers and non-tribal casinos all become smoke-free. To help businesses and the people of our state learn about the law, the state Department of Health has a new toll-free information line (1-877-INFO-901). People can also find information and answers to common questions on the agency’s secondhand smoke Web site ( http://www.secondhandsmokesyou.com ).
"Secondhand smoke kills, and there is no "safe" amount of it you can breathe. Smoke-free indoor air will make people healthier and save lives," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "This is an exciting time. This new law gives service workers and the thousands of people who go out to these establishments every day the opportunity to breathe easier."
These tough new restrictions on smoking are another good reason to quit. Other states that have enacted indoor smoking laws have seen smoking rates go down and the use of cessation services go up. Washington residents who want to quit smoking can call the toll-free Washington State Tobacco Quit Line (www.quitline.com) at 1-877-270-STOP (in Spanish, 1-877-2NO-FUME) for free counseling, referrals to cessation programs and quit kits. On average, getting help from a quit line doubles a person’s chances of successfully quitting smoking.
"I know it’s not easy to quit smoking. Nicotine is incredibly addictive," Selecky added. "We really hope people will take advantage of our free quit line by calling and asking for help."
To help educate people about the new law and make the transition to being smoke-free easier for businesses, the Department of Health has developed informational materials. Last week, thousands of restaurants and bars across the state received education packets that included a window sticker indicating the establishment is smoke-free, "No Smoking" signs, and an informational brochure about the new law. The department will also begin airing a radio ad next week to inform people about the new law. The radio spot includes interviews with people in our state talking about what the new law means to them.
"We’re working closely with local health agencies to ensure smooth implementation of the new law," said Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Manager Terry Reid. "We know when communities and businesses are well-informed, compliance with smoking restrictions is high."
The expanded Clean Indoor Air Act will protect thousands of Washingtonians from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke contains about 50 chemicals known to cause cancer. Every year, an estimated 38,000 nonsmokers die from exposure to secondhand smoke, making it the third leading cause of preventable death in the nation—tobacco use is still number one.
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